History

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded on Friday, January 16, 1920 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by five coeds: Most Honorable Soror Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Most Honorable Soror Pearl A. Neal , Most Honorable Soror Fannie Pettie Watts, Most Honorable Soror Myrtle Tyler Faithful . Most Honorable Soror Viola Tyler Goings.

These women dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for Black women and sought to establish a new organization predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. The trail blazed by the founders has been traversed by thousands of women dedicated to the emulation of the objectives and ideals of the Sorority.

The Sorority was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes; and to be constitutionally bound to a brother group, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

Zeta's national and local programs include endowment of its National Educational Foundation; community outreach services; and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliary groups have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change. A non-profit organization, Zeta Phi Beta is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois. The Sorority is supported by the dues and gifts of its members.

Eta Nu Zeta History

During the fall of 1971, Soror Sheila Clarke conceived the idea of forming another chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.--a chapter that would be of service in the Miami-Dade, and Broward (Florida) county areas. A meeting was held in order to begin the process to make Soror Clarke's dream a reality. The sorors present at the initial meeting drafted a letter to the National Headquarters to inquire about the procedures needed to form a new chapter according to Zeta's National Constitution.

The underlying theory of the new chapter's organization was to accommodate the communities of Opa-Locka (Miami), Carol City (Miami) and South Broward county. These communities were in dire need of a community support group. Once a specific location was established, there were continuous meetings to bring in interested Sorors and construct ideas of interest to the communities.

Soror Vetris Martin, Regional Director, and Soror Maude Jackson, Associate and State Director, met with the committee of Sorors to analyze and finalize the objectives. After the legal transactions were completed, Eta Nu Zeta chapter was approved in the spring of 1972. The chartering service was held on October 23, 1972 at the Church of the Transfiguration.

The dynamic women that helped charter Eta Nu Zeta are:

Eta Nu Zeta has served the North Dade/South Broward community for over 30 years, and continues to be a force committed to bettering the community.